How many of you would set out on a trip to get to a very important appointment somewhere you’ve never travelled before without first mapping out how you are going to get there? And yet, we do this all the time with fundraising. And to quote my hero, Yogi Berra, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”

Where we want to wind up is in a place where you all have strong, comprehensive and integrated fundraising programs. But you absolutely will not get there if you don’t spend the time planning.

In my mind, planning has three components:

Identify where you want to go or what you want to accomplish

Figure out the steps you must take to get there

Be very clear as to who owns what.

Simple enough and yet most nonprofits don’t seem to get there.

I’m often told that “I don’t have time to plan,” or—even more frequently—“I don’t need to write it down; it’s all in my head.” To which I reply, “Hogwash.”

Taking the time to develop your fundraising plan is time well spent. Writing it down is critical. “In your head” is about as realistic as “in your dreams,” and about as effective.

Your plan doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, simple is probably better. Start with a table or spreadsheet. The first column is where you will indicate what type of fundraising you are doing: Annual Giving, Special Events, Major Gifts, Foundation Grants, etc. In the second column, you will focus on the technique. So your annual fund drive may be comprised of direct mail; open houses; house parties; face-to-face solicitations. Your major gifts may also use all but direct mail as techniques to reach out to larger donors.

In each month, indicate what steps you will be taking and who is the owner. For example, for a direct mail appeal that is going out in May, January may be the month the letter and reply device get written. Perhaps the development director is the person doing that, or maybe you’ve hired a writer.

If this seems too complex, no problem. Simplify. Only have one column for what your are doing.

Or mark off the months and in each, indicate what you are doing.

Whatever works—and whatever you will work is good. To be blunt, working a mediocre plan will get you much further than random moments of brilliance followed by nothing very much.

So stop complaining that you don’t have time. Quit pretending it’s all in your head. Get to work on building a plan. And then work that plan.

Janet Levine works with nonprofits, helping them to increase their fundraising capacity. Hire her to help you increase yours–or to help you be a better, more effective fundraiser. Learn more at http://janetlevineconsulting.com.

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About janetlevineconsulting

For over 20 years, Janet Levine has worked for and with nonprofit and educational organizations, helping to grow their advancement programs. Her consulting company, Janet Levine Consulting, serves a wide range of organizations from small, all-volunteer agencies to major national organizations. She regularly teaches courses in non-profit management, fundraising and grant development, both face-to-face and online at http://courses.lmlearningstation.com/.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Janet brings years of experience as a business and sales manager in the for-profit sector. She has an MBA from the Graziadio School of Business at Pepperdine University.

There is–it’s being fixed. In the meantime, you can read the blog at either my LinkedIn page or on my website (http://janetlevineconsulting.com). Sorry for the confusion. The domain got unlinked from the host and I’m working to get that resolved.

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Too Busy To Fundraise

Too Busy To Fundraise, a blog from Janet Levine Consulting, offers insights and information on fundraising, marketing and communications for every one who needs to raise funds for a nonprofit organization.

For over thirty years, Janet Levine has served the nonprofit sector, helping organizations to increase their fundraising capacity and create stronger boards. Starting in 1988 as Director of Corporate Relations for USC’s Engineering School, Janet worked as a front line fundraiser, ultimately becoming VP of Advancement at a public university.In 2007, Janet opened her consulting business.Her many clients have ranged from large to small, representing all areas of the sector.Janet Levine Consulting prides itself on taking nonprofits “from mired to inspired,” better able to fulfill their missions.

In addition to her consulting and coaching practice, Janet is a much sought after presenter at conferences, a regular trainer for such organizations as the Center for Nonprofit Management, Academy Go, and the The Nonprofit Partnership.She teaches three online classes for Ed2Go and has been on the faculty at UCLA’s fundraising certificate program.